Setsuna's Sun Prince

OKay y'all here is the continuation of Chapter 2 of SSP.

Setsuna's Sun Prince:

Chapter 2B:

A New Gameplan (Continued)

Taking Takeru's teacup out of his hand, she put it on the table next to hers. After finishing with the cups, she arranged herself in his lap with her arms wrapped around his neck. Planting a kiss on his forehead, she whispered in his ear.

"You still haven't shown me the bedroom yet. I would really like to see it."

Taking the woman in his arms, Takeru walked out of the lounge. Walking back into the kitchen and turning to the left, Setsuna was treated to the sight of a hidden door. Just inside the door was a flight of stairs.

Putting Setsuna down so that she stood up, Takeru told her that she would have to go up the stairs on his back. She readily agreed to it and when he turned around joyfully jumped on his back. As he distributed the weight, Takeru mentioned that upstairs wasn't completely finished. Setsuna said that it didn't matter.

Going up the stairs, Setsuna had a sense of deja vu. She thought back to the past and remembered other times that Takeru had given her a ride on his back.

Once at the top of the stairs, Takeru eased Setsuna off of his back and proceeded to show her some of the upstairs rooms. There was a library, a study, and a couof bof bathrooms. Moving further down the hall, Setsuna was shown a couple of bedrooms, one of which looked somewhat lived in. When she pointed it out, Takeru explained that was Osmia's room.

"If her room is here, then where is yours?", asked the princess from Pluto.

"Just wait and see. We're almost there.", grinned Takeru slyly.

At the end of the hall, Takeru stood in front of the doors to another room. Telling Setsuna to close her eyes, he picked her up and opened the door.

Setsuna felt herself lifted and carried across another threshold. There was a flutter in her heart as she thought about the strong man carrying her securely into this room.

"Open you eyes now Setsuna.", whispered Takeru as he nibbled on her earlobe.

Setsuna opened her eyes and was astonished. She was in the middle of a large room. As Takeru put her down, Setsuna let her eyes roam all over.

In one corner sat a huge chest of drawers. Next to it was a closed door, which she assumed led to a closet. On the other wall was a dresser and next to it was a full-length mirror. One of the other walls wasn't a wall at all, but a pair of French doors that led out onto a balcony. In the middle of the room was a queen-sized bed. On the bed was a large quilt. Setsuna recognized the quilt on the bed. It was one she had made for him back during the Silver Millennium. Setsuna turned and looked at Takeru with diamond tears in her eyes.

"I kept it, I felt that somewhere, somehow we were going to meet again."

Finding that she had no words to say, Setsuna ran over to Takeru and wrapped her arms around him as she pressed her lips to his in a crushing kiss.

As she kissed him, Setsuna tentively parted her lips and let her tongue dance gently over his lips in a silent invitation. Before she could return her tongue, Setsuna felt his tongue slide out and explore the inside of her mouth. Like a mouth seeking a flame, the two tongues danced and dueled as their owners felt their passion for each other blaze hotter. Over and under, the appendages explored parts long forgotten during the passage of time.

Reluctantly breaking away from the kiss, a thin line of saliva connecting them, Setsuna turned around in Takeru's arms. He responded by wrapping his arms around her waist. Planting a line of kisses along her neck and the line of her jaw, Takeru heard her moan as she tilted her head back. Allowing him greater access to those sensitive parts, Setsuna smiled.

Takeru had started to run his hands over her body. Each touch burned Setsuna with passion. It was like he was branding her with his hands. Turning back around, she stood up on tiptoe and murmured something in his ear. Takeru nodded at the request she made. Picking her up he walked over and gently laid her on the bed. As he laid her on the soft mattress, Setsuna reached up and gently slid the pair of sunglasses off. At first, Takeru shied away from her touch. Then as she continued reaching for the implement, he allowed her to take them off.

"I want to see those eyes of yours. I haven't seen them in this manner in a long time.", Setsuna said slowly and silkily.

"I know, but it still makes me feel a little bit self-conscious about their color.", replied Takeru in a low voice.

Setsuna didn't say anything. She just put the sunglasses on a nearby nightstand. Looking back at Takeru, Setsuna was dazzled by the brilliant orange color that she had dreamed about many times since the destruction of the Silver Millennium.

Orange eyes looked into red.

Each looked and saw the despairs of the past and hopes of the future mirrored in the other's eyes. Setsuna looked and saw the happy times of the Silver Millennium in the depths of those orange eyes. Glancing further into the orange pools in front of her, Setsuna saw the pain he felt when she disappeared.

Takeru looked and saw her happiness that she had finally found someone to love. Looking deeper, he saw the despair she felt when he was lost and the Silver Palace destroyed. Together they ventured into the present as the gazed into each other's eyes. Setsuna felt herself being drawn to him; closing her eyes she let the feeling take her along. They met in a soul-searing kiss, tongues dancing in passion.

Together they moved in concert. When her tongue was aggressive, his was passive and vice-versa. They broke for breath with Setsuna placing gentle kissed on the eyelids covering the orange orbs.

Reaching behind her back with one hand, Setsuna continued to unzip the dress. Finally as Taki backed away from the bed, Setsuna stood up and the dress slithered silently down to the floor. Takeru's breathing seized as he looked at the creamy white flesh. She was beautiful, heartbreakingly beautiful to him.

Stepping out of the pile at her feet, Setsuna stood almost completely exposed to his gaze. In only her lavender bra and panties and with her arms wrapped around her, Setsuna gazed demurely at the floor. Setsuna looked up and smiled.

"One of us looks to be completely overdressed at this time."

"Well what is the other one going to do about that?"

"I think she will find a way to make things equal."

Dropping her arms, Setsuna walked slowly over to Takeru and completed what she had started in the back of the limo. Easily undoing the remaining buttons, she gently slid the shirt off of the person opposite her. Tossing it over her shoulders, Setsuna stepped back and looked at the sight she thought she would never see again.

Chocolate skin met her gaze. Her eyes traveled up and down the slender but muscled torso. Occasionally she winced as she came upon an old scar. Some of the scars she recognized, others she saw were recent. The subtle movement of Takeru's chest caught her eye and Setsuna watched. Taking a step forward and extending her hand, Setsuna ran a finger along one of the longer scars crisscrossing the broad chest.

"My god, so many new scars.", gasped Setsuna.

"Since I have been on earth, I have had to do many things.", said Takeru quietly.

Setsuna nodded and proceeded to hug him with all of her might. The feel of his chest against her nipples sent a charge through both of them. Takeru reluctantly stepped away . Undoing the tuxedo pants, he let them slide to the floor. Setsuna looked at the man in front of her. A light dusting of hair traveled down the broad chest and disappeared behind a pair of seagreen silk boxer briefs.

"You still cannot stand boxers, hmm, Takeru.", stated Setsuna.

"You know me too well Setsuna.", replied Takeru.

Together they shared an intimate laugh.

Across town, Darien was sitting in his apartment staring at the sheathed sword sitting across from him. After leaving partparty, he and Serena had gone out to the park for a romantic walk to end their evening. After the walk, the limo took them to Serena's house where he walked her to the door and they shared a kiss before she went inside. The driver then took Darien to his apartment where he had been for the past hour or so. At first Darien had planned to go straight to bed. Then he decided to study the sword given to him by his one-time friend.

"Why did he give this to me? What is the secret of this sword? And why does it feel familiar?", thouthe the Earth Prince.

Darien sat leaning forward in his chair with his elbows on his knees. Frowning at the sword, Darien pondered the weapon in front of him. Deciding on a course of action, Darien abruptly got up and picked the scabbard. Drawing the sword with his right hand, Darien tossed the cane-like scabbard onto the couch. Weighing the weapon in his hand, Darien found that it was light yet sturdy.

As memories of his old fencing lessons came to his mind, he felt that the sword was precisely balanced. Slipping into a fencing stance he hadn't felt the need to stand in for many years, Darien went through a few old exercises he remembered. Frowning at how rusty he was, Darien kept at the movements until his muscles started to remember the movements.

Finishing up with a light sheen of sweat on his face, Darien stepped over to the couch, picked up the scabbard and sheathed the sword in one movement. Looking at his clock, Darien changed clothes, turned out the lights and went to bed.

Back in the mansion across town, Red eyes looked in orange as Takeru and Setsuna lay in each others' arms. Now the couple was totally nude. Takeru lay on his back as his princess was sprawled out on top of him. They had decided to spend their first moments of intimate contact refamilarizing themselves with the others' body. As long-separated lovers, Setsuna and Takeru were taking their time.

"Last time we had each other naked as jaybirds, we somehow found ourselves in the queen's throne room. I am surprised that we weren't caught that day.", said Takeru as he idly ran his thumb gently across one of Setsuna's exposed nipples.

"Yeah, at breakfast the next morning, it was all I could do to keep from spilling everything to the queen. She seemed to be smirking that morning for some unknown reason.", replied Setsuna.

Repositioning herself, Setsuna rested her head on the broad chest as her emerald green hair spread out and covered them like a blanket. After a few minutes of listening to his beating heart, Setsuna decided to take their new-found intimacy to another level. Trailing kisses down his body, Setsuna found herself gently rubbing his manhood with her hand. Stroking it to life, Setsuna gently placed it in her mouth. Takeru was surprised when he felt the moistness on his shaft. He hadn't seen Setsuna go down although he had felt her kisses.

Setsuna took it slowly at first, then with an increasing fervor. As she went on she started to remember how she had done this the first time they were together. Continuing with her gentle pressure, she felt the excitement rising up within Taki. Before he reached his peak, Setsuna took her mouth away from her prize and returned to her position with her head on his chest. Playing with one of his nipples, Setsuna smiled coyly up at Takeru. Realizing that he had to return the favor, Taki rolled over gently placing her on the bottom. Kissing her gently on her lips, he put his hands upon expoexposed breasts. Gently massaging the orbs, Taki took her bottom lip in between his teeth and nibbled.

Feeling the contact of his hands on her breasts, Setsuna started to moan, although she had a hard time of it with her bottom lip between his teeth. Shortly afterwards, Setsuna felt his lips as he placed love bites along her neck. Taki touched all of the old familiar places he learned so long ago. Replacing his right hand with his mouth, he swirled his tongue around the mound of flesh. Focusing his attention on the breast itself and not just the nipple, he took his time. When he felt that he had spent too much time on one breast, he switched his attention to her other one, placing his empty hand where his mouth had been a few seconds previous.

While Takeru had been taking care of her upper half, Setsuna had felt his right hand moving lower and lower. When he put his hand upon the inside of her thigh, Setsuna shrieked. Hearing her shriek, Takeru diverted his attention to Setsuna's neglected nipples and areola. This caused her to take a deep breath. Keeping one part of his mind on her top, Taki kept his right hand occupied. Tracing the opening he had sought with his index finger, he felt the start of her wetness. Abruptly pulling his head away from her chest, Takeru looked her in the eye as his right hand stroked the light covering of hair that guarded the entrance to her interior.

Setsuna opened her eyes and saw the orange irises that had haunted her dreams for a thousand years. At that moment, helped by her wetness, Takeru slipped one of his fingers past her vaginal lips, causing Setsuna to jerk. Slowly moving his finger around inside her body. Finding her clitoris, Takeru replaced his hand with his mouth.

When Setsuna felt her lover's breath upon one of her most sensitive body parts, she grabbed his head as the shock traveled completely up her body. Setsuna let him carry her to the brink before pulling him up and looking into his eyes. Takeru gazed back into her red orbs and read the message in them. Rolling over onto his back he let Setsuna take charge. Setsuna eased Takeru's sacredff pff past her jade gates. Once he was completely enclosed, she relaxed for a minute before starting to impale herself upon him.

In and out, she rode him coming closer and closer to the point of a complete release. Recognizing the involuntary shudder that presaged her climax, Setsuna closed her thighs and clamped down on him. Her continuous wave of passion encompassed him, and Takeru felt his release surge ever closer. Finally Setsuna climaxed with a loud moan of pleasure, Takeru followed soon after with the release of his seed inside of her.

As their emotions calmed down the accumulated sweat on their bodies chilled them. Takeru looked into the eyes of his once and eternal lover.

"That was worth waiting a thousand years for, my love. Don't you agree?", asked Takeru in a husky voice.

"Yes it was. I am happy I waited for it. This brought back many memories for me.", replied Setsuna in a voice tinged with an unsatiated lust.

Seeing the look in her eyes, Takeru leaned over and kissed her.

"Although I am highly interested in what your eyes are telling me, right now I just want to get a little bit of sleep."

Feigning disappointment, Setsuna accepted the kiss and then nestled her head against him.

"Then I guess we can continue this later.", said Setsuna smugly.

Readjusting himself so that he and Setsuna lay entwined with each other, Taki closed his eyes. Setsuna watched him for a minute before closing her own eyes. A few minutes later Taki heard Setsuna's breathing even out the way he remembered and he knew that she was asleep. Reaching up with a finger, he felt the smile that was there on her face. Taking his finger away Taki reached over to the nightstand and opened the top drawer. Reaching in and scrounging around, he felt a small velvet covered box. Pulling the box out, he opened it and looked at the ring nestled within. The ring that sat on the bed of blue velvet was something to behold. It had a single band of gold. Perched atop the band was a single stone. The stone wasn't a diamond. Instead it had been quarried from the heart of the sun. It glowed with an inner orange fire. Takeru had remembered the stone from his childhood. He had first seen it on his mother's finger when he was very young. It had caught his eye and his mother had noticed his interest in it. When Takeru was ten years old his mother the Sun Queen had sat him down and explained the ring. She told him that when he found the woman whom he would come to love, he should place the ring upon her finger.

As Setsuna slept cuddled next to him, Takeru took the ring out of its case and placed it on the third finger of her left hand. The ring fit as if it was made for Setsuna's long and delicate fingers. Staring at the ring, Takeru wrapped his arms around his sleeping princess. Then he closed his eyes and let sleep come and claim him.

The next morning, Setsuna woke up to an empty bed. Reaching over to the spot where her love had lain, she felt the lingering warmth that gave away the fact that he hadn't been gone long. Turning her head into the pillow next to her, Setsuna inhaled his scent. Opening her eyes Setsuna looked at the tangle of sheets. Remembering the music that they made together and how the sheets got tangled from the night before bought a rush of crimson to her face. Reaching down and grabbing a fistful of the sheets she pressed them to her face and inhaled deeply. Setsuna smelled the lingering musk of their lovemaking and reveled in it. Getting out of the bed, she walked over to the armoire and opened it. Reaching inside, she pulled out a thick robe. Wrapping it around her nude form, she reveled in the warmth that it offered.

"Well I see that you have taken a liking to my favorite robe.", said a voice from behind her.

Whirling around, Setsuna saw that Takeru had walked into the room. Encompassed in the all-inclusive warmth of his robe, Setsuna ran over to Taki and crushed herself against him. Burying her face into the material of the black robe he presently wore, Setsuna let his presence calm her down. Takeru held her as she pressed against him. Setsuna was happy that he wasn't doing anything except just holding her. Once she had calmed down, she became aware of a weight on her hand. Glancing down she saw the ring on her finger. Setsuna started, aware of the ring's symbolism, and looked up in Taki's eyes searching for the confirmation that she wanted so desperately to believe.

"Is this what I think it is?", asked a somewhat stunned Setsuna.

"Setsuna, you know what it is. Why do you ask about it when, in your heart you know exactly what it is.", replied Takeru.

Having her thoughts confirmed made Setsuna want to cry. However, Takeru took Setsuna by the hand and gently led her too a small nook off from the kitchen. Pulling a chair out from the table located there, he urged her to take a seat and when she sat, he pushed the chair in. Opening the blinds hanging from the window, Takeru let the sunlight shine through. Setsuna felt the warmth of the sun's rays and rejoiced. Looking at the engagement ring on her finger, she sighed. Takeru walked up to the table and placed a plate in front of her. The smell of an omelet wafted up and gained Setsuna's attention. Looking down Setsuna saw that the omelet shared plate space with a couple of slices of toast. Taki returned and placed a second plate down in front of his seat. After going back and getting two cups of tea, he sat down with her.

"In answer to the question asked by this ring, I say yes."

"Would you believe that I had picked up that ring and was planning on giving it to you. It was the night that Queen Beryl attacked; Darien and I were coming back to the castle. I had had the ring shipped from my home. A jeweler on the moon made the adjustments."

Taking a bite of her breakfast, Setsuna smiled. Together the couple ate in silence, letting their gazes do the speaking for them. When they finished, Setsuna told Takeru to go ahead and take a shower while she washed the dishes. He protested but eventually she got him out of the kitchen.

Finishing the cleanup, Setsuna heard the shower running and decided to join Taki in the shower. Walking towards the bathroom, she untied the robe and let the belts hang loose. In the shower, Takeru was singing. He was happy and wanted to stay that way. Reaching for the soap, he found that it was missing. Turning to look for it, Taki caught a glimpse of Setsuna in the mirror. When she saw that she had his attention, she held up the soap and let the robe slide from her shoulders exposing her nakedness to him.

Setsuna daintily stepped into the shower and gently pushed Takeru against the wall. Pressing her lips to his, she exalted as the hot water cascaded over the both of them. Reaching down, Setsuna rejoiced as his manhood responded to her gentle touch. Positioning herself over his flesh, she thrust herself down upon him. This contact between them in the shower drove both of them wild. Soon Takeru had her up against the wall and was pumping inside of her with all of his might as the hot water ran over them. The soap fell to the floor of the stall and was forgotten as the couple reignited the flames from the night before.

On the other side of town, Haruka and Michiru were stepping out of the house. Heading in the direction of Haruka's yellow roadster, the pair wondered where their fellow scout was. Haruka was frowning while Michiru had a content smile on her f At At the car, Michiru turned to her companion and said:

"Why are you frowning like that? It makes you look unattractive."

"I know. I am worried about Setsuna. Since she left last night, we haven't heard from her. It is so unlike her to not let us know how things are going."

"Oh don't worry. She might have been too busy to call or she might be a little tired.", said Michiru with a somewhat knowing look on her face.


Back at the mansion, the athletics in the shower had taken the couple back to bed for another round of slap and tickle (figure it out). Now they were stretched out on the bed. Setsuna looked at the clock.

"Oh no, I have to go. Haruka and Michiru are probably worried about me.", said Setsuna as she started to scramble around the room.

Reaching the forgotten overnight bag, she opened and took out the pair of peach panties and the matching bra. Hurrying to the bathroom and taking a quick shower to wash off the evidence of the recent session of sex, Setsuna put on the set and padded back to the bedroom. Takeru watched all of this from the bed. He had gone out to another bathroom and cleaned himself up. Now he was back in the room watching as Setsuna put the rumpled orange negligee in her bag. Her suit was draped across the end of the bed.

"Why don't you leave that here for now. I will have it cleaned today.", said Takeru indicating the negligee that still smelled of sex.

"That is okay, I'll take it home with me for now. Next time I'll leave something.", replied Setsuna as she padded around the room in her blouse and panties.

Picking up the suit skirt from the chair, she stepped into it and slid it up her legs. Once she had the skirt on, she zipped it closed and reached for the matching jacket. While putting on the jacket she had to fight off the hands she felt unzipping her skirt.

"Not now. I have to go. Quit that."

Stepping back, Takeru quit teasing her and opened the French doors to the balcony. Outside he went and sat in one of the chairs. Completely dressed now, Setsuna joined him out on the balcony. Kissing his cheek once, she put on her shoes. Going back into the room, she reopened her bag and took out the emerald set of lingerie knowing that she would be back.

"Where do you meet the others? I'll take you there."

Hearing his voice, Setsuna told him and watched as he went over to the door she correctly guessed led to a closet. Taki opened his closet and reached in. Grabbing a lightweight jacket and putting it on, Takeru headed for the door. As he passed Setsuna he reached out and wrapped both hands around her waist. Planting a smattering of kisses along her neck, Takeru walked her back downstairs and to the garage. Inside the garage were two cars. One of them was a convertible while the other was a sedan. Against the far wall sat a motorcycle. Stepping through the garage door, Takeru pressed the button to open the main garage door. At the same time he reached unseen for a set of keys. Taking a look at the keys, Taki took Setsuna over to the sedan. Unlocking and opening her door, he watched as she slid into the cars blue leather bucket seats. Closing her door, he headed to the driver's side and opened it. Sliding his own frame into the car, he put the key in the ignition and started the engine. After buckling his seatbelt, Takeru put the car into reverse and backed out of the garage. Turning in the big driveway, Taki turned the car to the avenue. Putting the car in drive, he coasted to the end of the driveway and turned on the street in the direction she indicated. Pulling out on the street and accelerating, Taki merged the car into the traffic.

"When do you want to set the date for our wedding?", Takeru asked.

"I wish it could be as soon as possible but due to the circumstances, I think we should wait.", answered Setsuna.

Adjusting his ever-present sunglasses, Takeru nodded. After a few minutes drive, he pulled up to the coffee shop she had named. In the window, the newly reunited couple saw Haruka and Michiru. Takeru frowned when he caught a glimpse of the duo. Inside the cafe‚ Michiru took a sip of her tea and glanced out the window. Seeing whom it was she waved and watched as Setsuna waved back. Dressed in a seagreen sundress, Michiru stood up and embraced Setsuna. Haruka kept her attention on the figure outside. Both were frowning at each other. Soon the Princes of Uranus saw her target smile and pull off. Getting to her feet she stepped over towards Setsuna and told her she was happy to see her. Smoothing the pleat of her cream colored slacks and taking off the matching sport coat, Haruka sat back down. She avoided spilling some tea on the black blouse she was wearing. Setsuna took a seat across from her two friends and ordered. Her lips were still tingling from the kiss Taki had planted on them before she went inside.

"I see that you are okay. Did you enjoy your evening?", asked Haruka.

"Yes I did, it turned out to be a very interesting evening. He even cooked breakfast this morning. Although it was something he had learned to make while he was in America.", answered Setsuna.

She then went on to explain all of the events that had transpired during the evening, intentionally leaving out the bedroom antics she had engaged in. Michiru and Haruka didn't ask, although they did ask her questions about the two captured scouts.

"Raye and Mina were alright. Although they were beingt int in a bedroom that had a major force field around it. Taki must cook for them, for they didn't seem malnourished. The only part of the evening that grated on my nerves was running into Beryl's daughter during his tour of the mansion.", finished up Setsuna.

Haruka and Michiru shared a look.

"Did you get the address for that mansion, we need to let Serena and the others know."

"Yes I did and I will give it to them shortly. I do know that we need to rescue Sailor Mars and Sailor Venus as soon as possible. I did do a little more thinking than you give me credit for, Haruka.", quipped Setsuna.

Seeing that her friend had verbally outmaneuvered her, Haruka had no choice but to laugh. Setsuna and Michiru chuckled along with her. Unconsciously, Setsuna brought her left hand up and rested it on the table in preparation to lifting her cup. Michiru was the first to spot the new object.

"What is that on your finger Setsuna? Is that what I think it is?", asked the Princess of Neptune as she looked at the brilliant stone.

Caught unawares, Setsuna had nothing to say. Nodding its confirmation, she waited to see what Michiru would say.

"Finally. I've waited many years to see this. You're worth it.", said a smiling Michiru.

"Thank you Neptune. He told me he had had this ring with him the night the Palace was attacked and had planned on giving it to me then."

Letting Michiru clasp her hand and inspect the ring, Setsuna looked over at Haruka and saw the conflict raging on her face. On one hand she was happy that in the future Setsuna would no longer be alone and possibly could start a complete family with Takeru. On the other hand, she was worried that the ring might cause Setsuna to completely abandon the rest of the scouts.

"Don't worry Haruka, we plan on having the wedding after we solve our current problems. However I do promise you this, before our wedding Prince Takeru Corona of the Sun will no longer have any evil within him. I want him to be the good-natured man I fell in love with all those years ago.", vowed Setsuna.

Back in the car, the person in question had parked near a local park and pond. Making his way toward the center of the park, he took a seat on one of the benches. Soon Osmia joined him.

"So Osmia which one do we go after next?", asked Takeru.

"We already have two of the inner scouts so why don't we go after one of the outer scouts.", answered the evil princess.

Reading the way her thoughts were going, he told her in no uncertain terms that Setsuna was to be left alone. Of course this pissed off Osmia to no end. Osmia figured that out of all of the other scouts, Setsuna alone could take Takeru away from her. Osmia wanted Setsuna out of the way.

"Why don't we try and grab Saturn? It will be a great challenge."

"Challenge, no. Capturing Sailor Saturn is impossible. She is the most powerful of all of the scouts with the exception of Sailor Moon. We also know that Sailor Chibi Moon has hidden power as great if not greater than her mother. Trying to capture Saturn would awake those powers."

As his mind mulled over the idea, a plan came to Takeru. It would be hard to implement but it could give them the result they needed.

"We need to get a bit devious on this one, Osmia. I have an idea but if it doesn't pan out we grab whomever we can.", stated Takeru.

"Okay Takeru," Osmia left Takeru to put his plan together in his mind.

Taking a quick glance at his watch, Taki headed to work. Arriving at work, Takeru changed out of his clothes into his work coveralls. Heading out onto the ramp, Taki found his immediate supervisor and got his assignment. He found out that he was to grab a couple of the others and get ready forig pig prop job.

Gathering his group, Taki walked them over to the designated parking spot. Going over the plan with the guys he had chosen, Takeru assigned each one a position and a job to do. He reserved the position as flagman for himself. In the distance they heard the drone of an engine. Before finishing up with the crew, Taki warned them about the danger of the spinning propellers.

"Okay you guys, I want you to make sure those blades have stopped before you even go near that aircraft. Once the blades have stopped, then you can go about your business. I don't want to explain to the boss how one of you guys got your head lopped off after I had warned you about the dangers. Everybody got that?", stated Takeru in a gruff voice.

Everyone nodded their heads and headed to their positions. Takeru held the newest guy by him to make sure he didn't move. Holding his wands above his head, Taki got the pilots' attention and indicated where he wanted the captain to stop. When the aircraft was lined up, Taki started motioning with his wands. Bringing the twin engine aircraft up to the where he wanted, Takei raised his arms above his head and crossed the wands. One of the veterans ran up and slid a pair of wheel blocks in front of and behind the front wheels. When he saw this, Taki motioned to the cockpit. Once he was assured the pilot had seen him he motioned for the engines to be cut off.

When the engines stopped, Taki and his crew leapt to their jobs with a fervor that was evident in their bearing. Within minutes, the bags were unloaded and taken inside; the crewmembers had been taken over to the lounge and were enjoying refreshments. The fuelman pulled up, checked the slip that Taki handed him, and started to fuel the aircraft. Doing a safety walk around, Taki had to slap one of his guys. The person in question had been about to light a cigarette. Takeru knocked the cigarette and lighter out of his hands and rounded on him with the force of a supernova.

"YOU IDIOT! ARE YOU TRYING TO KILL US ALL? On the other side of this plane, the fueler is filling this aircraft up. Here you are lighting a smoke. Get away from this plane. Right now I want you to go over to the smoking area and enjoy your smoke. Then, once we finish this job you are going inside and you are writing up what you almost did and leaving it on the supervisors desk. He will decide what to do with you.", snarled Taki.

The guy was so happy when Takeru got called away to answer a call that he almost collapsed on the spot. Takeru stomped into the operations area and snatched the phone from the receptionist.

"Corona here, what do you want?", snapped the upset Taki.

"Hmm, I wonder what happened to put you in this kind of mood. It is so unlike this morning when you woke up.", came a cultured voice over the line.

"Oh hi Setsuna. Don't worry, one of my guys almost caused an accident by doing something he shouldn't have been doing.", returned a much calmer Takeru.

"I see, well maybe we can get lunch a little bit later.", said the Princess from Pluto.

Takeru agreed and they set a time for a late lunch. Hanging up after exchanging tender and heartfelt goodbyes, Taki grinned. On the other end of the line, Setsuna looked at Lita, Amy, and Serena.

"Okay, he will be away from the house. You can try and rescue the others then."

"I really hope we can get them. However I want to know what Takeru is up to. He didn't reveal to you anything of interest last night did he Setsuna?", asked Amy.

Unwillingly catching the double entedre, Setsuna blushed.

"Nothing that would be of any interest to you.", said the Pluto Princess. "

Are you sure about that?", quipped Serena.

"If it was of any interest to you your majesty, I would've told you. Other than that you will have to wait till you get older."

Leaving the younger scouts, Setsuna left to meet Taki for lunch. After she left, the three scouts planned their operation. Once they were sure everything was right, they left.

An hour later, they found themselves outside the mansion described by Setsuna. It took them thirty minutes but they found a way in. At this time, Amy was getting a bit nervous. To her it had gone all too easy. Within a few minutes of their entrance they had found Raye and Mina.

"Mina, Raye we found you!", exclaimed Serena. Raye, being her usual self, had a cutting response to that.

"You took your sweet time in getting here. Why did it take you so long? Sucking face with Darien, Serena?".

Before Serena could fire a response, Lita interrupted the developing argument.

"Stow it Raye. We don't have time for one of you and Serena's trademark discussions. We have to get you out of here."

Over an hour or so later, they finally found a way to rescue they two captive scouts. Transforming into their alter egos, Sailor Moon, Sailor Mercury, and Sailor Jupiter executed a sailor teleport and teleported themselves into the room. After a brief moment for hugs and the like, the five scouts teleported out.

In the meantime, Setsuna and Takeru were lingering over a long lunch. Takeru had changed from his uniform coveralls into a pair of jeans and a polo shirt. Using Haruka's car, Setsuna had picked her fiancee` up from work and taken him to one of her favorite restaurants. The couple sat outside on the terrace and enjoyed each other's company and the conversation.

"Takeru did everything go okay at work?", asked Setsuna.

"Yes, everything is okay. After you called, me and the supervisor got everything straightened out.", answered Taki.

Leaning across the table, Setsuna placed a gentle kiss on Takeru's lips. She knew she was stalling and yet couldn't deny the feelings. At the moment, her feelings were telling Setsuna that she should go around to his side of the table and do as she pleased. Logic was telling her that there were too many people around. Logic and emotion were warring inside of her and it showed on her face. Takeru saw this and suggested they go for a walk. Setsuna readily agreed. She went into the restroom to freshen up while Taki paid the bill.

While she was in the restroom, her scout communicator went off. Answering it, Setsuna wondered if everything was going alright.

"Sailor Pluto here."

"Sailor Pluto, Sailor Mars and Sailor Venus are safe. Amy feels that it was too easy.", came the voice of Serena through the small speaker.

Acknowledging the report, Setsuna straightened her coat and put the communicator away. Leaving the restroom she saw Takeru waiting for her in the lobby. Walking over to him she grabbed a hold of his arm and together they left the restaurant. Setsuna was feeling pleased. Even more so when she had seen the looks that some of the other women in the place had given Takeru as he stood waiting for her.

Now as they walked around the street, Setsuna rested her head against Takeru's arm. Soon he would have to go back to work and she would have to leave him again. She didn't want that, she wanted to extend this quality time she was sharing.

All too soon it was time for Takeru to report back to work. Dropping him off at the airport, Setsuna asked if he wouldn't mind going out to a movie tonight.

"I wish I could Setsuna but I have some pressing matters to take care of. It will have to wait for another time. I'm sorry about this.", answered Taki.

"I understand. How about if we set it up for this weekend? Does that sound okay to you?", asked Setsuna.

Taki nodded and got out of the car. Coming around to the driver's side he leaned in and gave her a passionate yet brief kiss. Pulling away, he smiled at her and went inside. Opening the door, he paused for a minute and caught the return smile on her face before entering the building. Setsuna waited till he was out of sight before starting the car and heading back to her house.

Back at work, Takeru felt that the rest of his day went by too quick. Soon he was once again in the locker room changing out of his work coveralls and into regular street clothes. After some minor flirting he said good-bye to the receptionist and headed for his car. Once in the car he called Osmia to see how the day went.

The report he got was not one that put him in a good mood.

"You mean that the other scouts rescued Mars and Venus. Dammit, I told you to keep an eye out for them. They're sneaky when it comes to rescues.", snapped the upset sun prince.

"Don't you swear at me you bastard! I know what you told me but there are times when I cannot watch them. The others just took advantage of one of those times. If you hadn't been out making faces with that woman, this wouldn't have happened.", retorted Osmia with equal vehemence.

Takeru didn't have a comeback for that so he hung up the phone and fumed. As he fumed he thought about his plan to snatch another of the scouts. Picking up the phone he called Osmia again and, after she calmed down, he explained what he was going to do. Getting a positive reply from the evil princess, Takeru hung up the phone again and changed direction.

In the meantime, the inner scouts were having a small party. They were celebrating the rescue of Mina and Raye at Lita's house. Darien had stopped by for a few moments but he left again. Serena had just come back from seeing Darien off when she heard the phone ring. Picking it up she answered it:

"Hello."

"Congratulations on the successful rescue of Raye and Mina.", came the voice of Haruka over the line.

"Thanks Haruka. We couldn't do it without the help from Setsuna. Her distraction of Takeru is what assured the success of our mission. Can you tell her that we thank her for the help?", returned Serena.

"I'll tell her what you said. Right now she is taking a nap."

Unbeknownst to Haruka, Takeru had at that moment pulled up across the street from the house she shared with the outer senshi.

"Okay, so they want to play games. I can do that with the best of them.", thought Taki as he shut off the engine.

Slipping out of the car, Takeru made his way to the house. Creeping around to the back, he checked to see where his target was. Spotting no sign of his target on the first floor, he figured that she was on the second. Finding little crevices and niches he could put his fingers and hands as he scaled the wall, Taki made it to the second floor and crept inside.

Downstairs he heard Haruka finishing up her phone conversation and knew that time was running out on him. Putting a gloved hand on the first door he saw he opened partway to look inside. The room was empty so he closed the door and moved to the next one in line. Putting his ear to the door, he smiled when he heard the light snores he recognized from the night before.

"So, this is my Setsuna's room. I need to mark it in case I find my way back here."

Making a small mark where only he could see it, Takeru moved down to the next door in line. Once again he put his ear to the door and listened. At first he didn't hear anything. Then the faint scratching of a pencil or pen on paper made itself known. Opening the door quietly he slipped in the room and saw Hotaru sitting at her desk doing homework.

What he didn't expect was that Michiru was there also. Michiru had been helping Hotaru with her homework. The problem at the time was one that was giving the young girl fits. The princess from the planet Neptune was so involved that she didn't hear the noise of the door opening. She did feel the temperature in the room change as the air outside the room came in and met the air already inside the room. Turning she was about to say something about being disturbed when she saw the figure standing just inside the door. Her first reaction was textbook: she screamed.

Hanging up the phone after talking to Serena, Haruka had just put her foot on the first step when she heard the scream of her significant other. Running the rest of the way upstairs she came to a halt outside of Hotaru's room almost colliding with a somewhat groggy Setsuna. Setsuna had been in the middle of a very interesting dream when the scream pierced the fog of her sleep. Getting out of bed, she had come out into the hallway.

"Did you hear that? What could make Michiru scream that way?", asked Haruka.

"I don't know. Her scream woke me up."

Inside the room, Takeru had the two outer scouts cornered and was advancing on the duo. Just then, Michiru transformed into Sailor Neptune.

"Don't come any closer, Sun Prince Takeru. I cannot be responsible for what happens to you if you continue on your present course of action.", snapped Neptune.

"Oh shaddap Neptune. I really don't have time for this.", retorted Takeru.

Going on the offensive, Neptune launched an attack at the prince but narrowly missed him. Instead, her blast hit the door and shattered it. This gave Setsuna and Haruka a view inside. Shaking of the shock, they stepped into the room. Halting they looked around. In one corner was Sailor Neptune defending Hotaru. Hotaru had been caught completely by surprise and hadn't had time to transform. On the other side of the room, stood a figure that both Setsuna and Haruka recognized (albeit for different reasons). Setsuna stopped dead in her tracks with her mouth agape.

"Takeru... Takeru what are you doing here? Why are you doing this?", asked Setsuna.

"I have my reasons for being here and we already talked about why I am doing this. It seems that two prisoners that I had captured somehow found a way to escape. Now I know that none of you had anything to do with that but it seems that the rescuers knew their way around my house. How they got that information, I have a very good idea. I'm just returning the favor. Trading 2 scouts for 1 scout.", answered the Sun Prince.

"You know we're going to stop you Takeru.", snarled Haruka as she pulled out her transformation wand.

Setsfollfollowed suit as did Hotaru who realized what was going on. Facing 3 to 1 odds, Takeru knew he had to act fast.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you. Because if you do, I'll destroy a certain young princess."

This stopped the trio of untransformed scouts. Takeru took that moment to spring across the room and wrapped his arms around Hotaru. The young princess screamed as Takeru bounded to a stop opposite the window.

"Now that I have what I came for, if you don't mind I'll take a powder. Ta ta.", chirruped Takeru as he dove out the window.

The remaining scouts could only watch as Setsuna's fiancee' crashed through the glass and landed on the front lawn. Hotaru was unharmed; Setsuna had seen Takeru as he had wrapped his arms tighter around the young girl and protect her from the impact. Giving a jaunty wave of his hand, Takeru hopped in his car and sped off. Haruka was livid. When Takeru had given that insulting wave, she had fairly flew down the stairs. She had made it to the garage and was wheeling her bike out when Michiru (back in her normal guise by now) and Setsuna had themselves made it down the stairs and kept Haruka from leaving.

"Setsuna, do you plan to let him get away with what he did. That makes us look like complete asses. I know you love the guy and are engaged to him, but right now we need you to get past your feelings for him and help us fight.", said Haruka in a voice tight with barely restrained rage.

Before she could speak, Michiru added to her lover and partner's statement.

"I have to agree with Haruka on this one Setsuna. You know, I usually side with you in battles of the heart, but this time Takeru made us look like we were incapable of taking care of our own. Hotaru is young and we already had to go through one battle to save her. I don't want to have to go through another one."

Setsuna looked at the both of them with her red eyes. Inside she felt furious and on a deeper level betrayed. Yet outside she showed no sign of her inner turmoil.

"Have you two realized that in doing nothing, we undoubtedly saved Princess Rini? If you hadn't heard, Prince Takeru threatened the Royal Family. Takeru won't do anything to Hotaru.", she started

"HOW DO YOU KNOW THAT, SETSUNA? YOU'RE STILL LETTING YOUR FEELINGS FOR HIM GET IN THE WAY OF LOGIC.", interrupted a shouting Haruka.

Michiru nodded in agreement with the Princess from Uranus.

"IF I may be allowed to continue. As I was saying, if Takeru hadn't done what he did, we would have been trying to keep Prince Darien from going out there on his own. His Highness hasn't yet figured out the power of the sword given to him. And in the emotional state he would have been in, Takeru would have killed him without any compunction. This gives the future king a chance to try and unlock more of the secrets within that sword and within him. Uranus you are such a hothead. You're even more of a hothead than Sailors Jupiter and Mars combined.", returned Setsuna in a coldly furious yet calm voice.

The only sign of the war raging within her was the look in her eyes. Haruka and Michiru calmed down a bit and were beginning to see what their anger had hidden from them. As they watched, Setsuna picked up the phone and called Serena.

Across the city, Serena was at home working on some homework (yes she is actually doing some homework, isn't that a miracle in its own right?). She had left the study group and hour or so earlier. Darien had called her and said that he was going to help her with the homework that Amy hadn't been able to help her with. Sitting across the table from Serena, Rini was also doing some schoolwork. The two of them had been like that ever since Serena had come home. Deep into reading for an English class assignment, Serena heard the phone ring. At first she paid it no mind, she was really into the story. When ecamecame apparent to her that nobody was going to answer the phone, she put her book down and picked it up.

"Hello."

"Serena, I need you to get all of the scouts and Darien to come over to the house I share with the other outer senshi. We have a problem.", came the voice of Setsuna.

"Really, what is it?", asked Serena.

"Is Small Lady there? This concerns her. Or to be more precise, it could have concerned her."

"Yes she's here but I want to know how this could concern her.", retorted Serena as she looked at Rini's face.

"I cannot go into it over the phone. Needless to see this is very important."

"Okay Setsuna, I'll call the others after you hang up.", stated Serena.

Putting the phone down after her short conversation with Setsuna, Serena picked it back up and dialed Raye's grandfather's temple. Chad picked up the phone.

"Uhh, hello."

"Chad, its Serena, can you get Raye for me. Tell her it is very important."

"Yeah Serena, gimme a minute."

After what seemed like an eternity but in reality was only a couple of minutes, Raye was on the line.

"SERENA, THIS HAD BETTER BE GOOD!! FIRST; you ditch study buddies to go home now you're calling and Chad is telling me that you said it was important. What is it, did you forget something?", snapped Raye in a peeved voice.

"Get off my case Raye, we don't have time for this. Setsuna called me a few minutes ago and told me that she was calling an emergency scout council at her house. From the way she was talking, whatever it is about could have had something to do with Rini. She even told me to bring Darien.", returned Serena.

There was quiet on the other end of the line. Then Raye came back on the line.

"Okay, we'll meet you there. I don't think Darien's car will hold all of us. Amy, Lita, Mina, and I will catch the bus.", answered Raye, all trace of peevishness gone form her voice.

"It won't. I'll see you there."

Hanging up the phone, Serena looked at Rini. Rini had stopped working at was now staring at Serena. Serena debated whether or not to bring her daughter but in the end, she decided to take her because Setsuna had mentioned that it concerned her. At that moment somebody knocked on the door. Opening the door she saw that Darien had arrived.

"Good, you're here. Now I won't have to call you.", stated Serena when she saw him.

Darien was a bit confused.

"Wha... wha... what do you mean Serena?", stammered Darien.

"I'll explain on the way.", said Serena.

Turning back to the house interior she called:

"Rini come on lets go."

Minutes later, the family was all ensconced in Darien's red Alfa Romeo (its either that or a Porsche 911 turbo. And I don't think he can afford one of those yet). Serena had explained everything to Darien as he shifted gears and pulled off. The look on his face told Serena his state of mind; especially the part about the situation concerning Rini.

"Are you sure that Setsuna wanted all of us there?", asked Darien not taking his attention from the traffic ahead.

"Yes, her tone of voice insinuated that it was very urgent.", answered Serena.

Darien growled. He had a good guess about who had caused this emergency meeting.

"Dammit Takeru, why are you doing this? Why must you torture my family with your actions.", thought the perturbed prince.

Darien pushed the thoughts out of his mind and buried the throttle pedal. With its occupants securely buckled in the little red car sped off into the night.

40 minutes later, Darien drifted the red car around a corner and pulled up next to Haruka's yellow convertible. As Darien killed the engine, Rini and Serena hurried to the front door. Someone inside must have seen them because the door opened just as they stepped onto the porch. Once all three of them were inside and had taken off their shoes Serena looked around. Sitting in a high-backed chair was Setsuna. Standing next to each other at the fireplace were Haruka and Michiru.

"Where is Hotaru, she isn't here?", queried Serena.

"That is the reason why I called this meeting. I would rather wait until the rest of the scouts arrived before going over the events. But suffice it to say, Takeru kidnapped Hotaru.", said the emerald haired princess.

Rini reeled as she took in what she had just heard. Serena heard her daughter start to sniffle and went to one knee to wrap her arms around her.

"Don't worry Rini, I bet Hotaru will be alright. We will rescue her.", cooed Serena into Rini's ear.

"A... a... a... are you sure Serena?"

"I'm positive about it and that's a sailor scout promise."

"I'll help her Rini. I know how close you are to Hotaru.", added Darien.

Looking over at the other scouts, Rini was assured by the look in Setsuna's and Michiru's eyes and caught the nod from Haruka's head. What Rini didn't see was the frown on the face of the princess from Uranus. Haruka was facing the wall with her back to the rest of the crowd.

Setsuna had grimaced at the reception she was giving but reorganized her features before anyone could notice. Unfortunately both Darien and Serena had caught the look from Setsuna. The future king and queen glanced at each other and nodded.

It seemed that there was a disagreement going on and they didn't want to get involved in it.

"By the way Darien, that was a nice piece of driving you did pulling onto our street.", said Haruka.

"Thanks Haruka. I appreciate the complement.", returned Darien.

"One of these days, I'll have to get you out to the track and see how well you really do."

Darien had caught the slight note of insult in Haruka's tone. Not wanting to start a battle he couldn't win, he said nothing. But he did see the flicker of anger that flew across Setsuna's face.

"What is going on with those two? They seem to be angry at each other for some reason.", thought Darien.

Michiru broke the stalemate by asking if they three of them wanted anything to drink while they waited for the other scouts. Before anyone could answer, the four other scouts along with Artemis, Luna, and Diana came stumbling in. Picking up on Rini's mood immediately, the gray kitten went over to her mistress and climbed into her lap.

"Now that everyone is here, I can finally explain what happened.", started Setsuna.

"Earlier today our enemy Sun Prince Takeru kidnapped Sailor Saturn from underneath our noses. Michiru, Haruka, and I could do nothing to stop him."

"That's what you say.", muttered Haruka under her breath.

Setsuna caught the muttering and, to her credit, didn't do anything about it except narrow her eyes in the direction of the angry princess.

Everybody else looked anywhere but at Setsuna. It was obvious there was a difference of opinion between Sailor Pluto and Sailor Uranus.

"Needless to say, before he left, Takeru let slip something that brought us to the conclusion that we were lucky he took Hotaru and not his original target. This gives us some solace.", continued Setsuna with a sharp glance at Haruka to forestall anymore of her 'opinions'.

"Do we know who his original target was, Setsuna?", asked Amy analytically.

Setsuna didn't reply she just nodded and looked in the direction of Darien, Serena, and the still morose Rini. It took everyone a minute to figure it out. When Serena figured it out she clamped on to Darien's arm with such a vengeance that he was sure he would have bruises the next day.

"You mean that Takeru's original target was Rini? That's why you told me that it could have concerned Rini. That's why you asked if she was there in the first place. You were checking to see if he had already gotten her.", gasped Serena.

Dropping her head, Setsuna answered:

"Yes Serena. That's the reason I asked if Rini was there."

Amy got it right off the bat, so did Darien and Lita. Mina and Raye were still confused and it showed on their faces.

"Ahh excuse me, could somebody please explain this to me. I really don't understand and from the looks of it neither does Mina.", stated the fire-tempered Raye.

Serena couldn't do anything except shake her head. Darien started to speak but was interrupted. This time the interruption came from a completely different source.

"Well since it is over your head Mars, I'll explain my actions and Setsuna's reactions. If you will remember Rini and Hotaru are the best of friends. If I had tried to get Hotaru on my own, there is no doubt both of us would have been badly hurt. My original plan was to kidnap Rini and hold her to force Hotaru to capitulate. Thus I would have released Rini once I had Hotaru. Unfortunately it seems that my house was raided earlier today by a group of unknown raiders. These raiders succeeded in freeing my other two captives and thus blowing my plan to hell and back. So in order to throw everybody into chaos and confusion I had to do something on the spur of the moment. Unfortunately, my secondary target was otherwise occupied so I had to go after my main target and hope that I wasn't wounded enough for me to grab Hotaru and make it clean away. However Setsuna, Michiru, and Haruka were at home. I had to act and act fast. Luckily for me, Michiru was helping Hotaru when I arrived. Therefore I had my target and a way to escape.", came Takeru's voice.

The person that the voice belonged to came into appeareance on the screen of the televison from the entertainment system in the room.

Lita was confused about that and let it be known.

"In answer to your question Jupiter, it is a proven fact that you scouts always protect one another. I just turned your greatest strength into a weakness and took advantage of it.", answered Takeru.

Going over it in her mind Lita sat down.

"Nice legs by the way, Jupiter.", leered the sun prince.

Lita blushed bright red anied ied to cover the exposed part of her legs. The pleated skirt she was wearing turned out to be a bit small for that.

"You don't have to worry about me, I was just complimenting one of your numerous assets. I better stop now someone seems to be angry.", smirked the evil prince.

It was true; Setsuna was finding it harder and harder to control her facial reactions. She had weathered Takeru's first compliment to Lita with a stoic look on her face. The second one had nearly been too much. Her face had turned a deep crimson and again everybody averted his or her gazes.

Something Takeru said caught Amy's attention and now she asked about it:

"What do you mean that if you and Sailor Saturn had battled both of you would have been hurt?"

Takeru shook his head but was spared answering by the voice of Haruka, who still had her back to the room.

"Haven't you realized it yet? If the Princess from Saturn and the Prince of the Sun had battled, we wouldn't be here now. Their powers are just about evenly matched. She is the Sailor Scout of Destruction and he is the Prince from the Star of Creation.", snapped Haruka.

The inner senshi and Darien looked at each other in confusion.

"She means that a battle between Sailor Saturn and Myself would only have one outcome regardless of the victor. This universe would be destroyed. If she had a bit more control of her power now, it wouldn't have been a problem. But since she is still getting the hang of it... well you get the idea.", said Takeru in clarification.

Serena shuddered as implications of a battle like that sank in.

"Well as much as I've liked taunting you, I must go. Hotaru is alright, however for security reasons I cannot show her too you. Oh and Darien, this could have had another ending, if you know what I mean."

"DAMN YOU TO HELL TAKERU!! I will get you for this.", snarled the Prince of the Earth.

"If you are so eager for battle, then come and face me Darien. One on one, this time you cannot back down. If you do, I will set my original plan into motion with some modifications. Setsuna and the rest know where I am, come and do battle Tuxedo Mask. I am waiting.", retorted Takeru with equal vehemence.

Then his image vanished from the screen. Darien was up from his seat on the couch and headed out the door before the last pixel disappeared. He reaction caught Serena and the rest of the scouts by surprise. Serena was the first to chase after him. She got in front of him with her arms outspread and shouted:

"DON'T DO THIS DARIEN. DON'T GO RUSHING BLINDLY INTO BATTLE. YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT HE IS CAPABLE OF?"

"Yes I do know what he is capable of, Serena. That is why I must go and battle him now. He won't desist from this course of actintilntil one of us or the other is finished.", said Darien calmly.

"That is what is wants you to do. He wants you out of your mind with anger. He can take advantage of that and use it to defeat you.", cried Serena.

Not saying anything, Darien kissed Serena on the mouth long and hard. When the kiss was over, it became apparent that he had used the kiss to gently move her out of his way.

Reluctantly tearing away from her, Darien ran to his car and jumped in. Pulling off he was gone before she realized what he had done. Then Serena collapsed to her knees.

"No, this cannot be happening. It just can't be happening.", whimpered the Moon Princess.

Setsuna came up beside Serena and helped her to her feet.

"Yes, your majesty. It can be happening and it is happening. There is no derailing this now. The men we love will face each other in battle and neither of them will survive.", said Princeetsuetsuna.

Serena took her daughter's hand in hers and turned to the emerald haired Princess. Instead of the suit she was wearing earlier, Setsuna was now dressed in her princess gown. Looking around, Serena saw that all of the scouts had, by no will of their own, changed from street clothes into an evening dress from their planet of origin.

Looking down at herself, Serena saw that both her and Rini had changed into the dresses that signified their positions. Opening her heart and clearing her mind, Serena saw the path that they must take. Turning to Setsuna, Serena said in a controlled voice:

"We know what we must do. Our path is clear. Lets go end this once and for all."

"We must do this to protect the present and the future.", added Rini.

As one, the nine sailor scouts nodded and transformed into their alter egos. Once transformed the nine scouts formed a circle and teleported.



On the other side of town Darien, now dressed as Tuxedo Mask, was appraising the sword cane in his apartment one final time. He hadn't found out all the secrets of the weapon but he knew that he had no choice but to wield it in battle. Taking it in his hand, he looked around at some of the pictures scattered haphazardly throughout the apartment. Some were of him and Serena alone with each other. Others were all three of them: Serena, Rini, and Darien sharing some family time. Still others were of the scouts mugging for the picture for fun. One picture caught his eye. It was a picture of the three of them sitting on a bench watching the sunset. Darien had wrapped an arm around Serena as she sat leaning her head to his shoulder, while Rini sat in his lap. All three of them just sitting there doing nothing. On impulse, Tuxedo Mask took that picture out of the frame and placed it in one of the pockets on his vest. He wanted that picture close at hand.

Picking up the cane that held his destiny, the man known as Darien Shields in one guise and Tuxedo Mask in another left his place of residence and headed out into the night.

At the mansion, Takeru sat in a chair. He was contemplating the coming battle between him and his enemy. In one corner Hotaru, now transformed into Sailor Saturn, sat still confined within the energy ball he had put her in.

"Why must you do this, Prince Takeru? Why must you destroy your friend? Tell me so that I can under